82_FR_16963 82 FR 16897 - Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

82 FR 16897 - Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 66 (April 7, 2017)

Page Range16897-16898
FR Document2017-06708

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. This AD requires removing from service the tail gearbox center housing (housing) when it has 12,200 or more hours time-in-service (TIS). This AD was prompted by fatigue analysis conducted by Sikorsky that determined the housing required a retirement life. The actions are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 66 (Friday, April 7, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 66 (Friday, April 7, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16897-16898]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06708]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-7095; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-085-AD; 
Amendment 39-18848; AD 2017-07-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. This 
AD requires removing from service the tail gearbox center housing 
(housing) when it has 12,200 or more hours time-in-service (TIS). This 
AD was prompted by fatigue analysis conducted by Sikorsky that 
determined the housing required a retirement life. The actions are 
intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 12, 2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Engineering, 
124 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-
416-4299; email: [email protected]. You may review a 
copy of the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, 
Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
7095; or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the economic evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations Office 
(phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristopher Greer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 
FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone 
781-238-7799; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On August 30, 2016, at 81 FR 59526, the Federal Register published 
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Sikorsky Model S-92A 
helicopters with a housing part number (P/N) 92358-06107-043 installed. 
The NPRM proposed to require removing from service any housing with 
12,200 or more hours TIS. The NPRM was prompted by fatigue analysis 
conducted by Sikorsky that determined the housing required a retirement 
life. The proposed actions were intended to prevent a crack in the 
housing, which could lead to loss of tail rotor drive and loss of 
helicopter control.

Comments

    After our NPRM was published, we received a comment from Sikorsky.

Request

    Sikorsky requested a minimum 45-day extension of the comment 
period. In support of this request, Sikorsky stated it is re-evaluating 
the housing's 12,200-hour life limit due to an error in the measured 
flight test loads used in the structural fatigue substantiation. When 
asked for additional information, Sikorsky advised that it had 
completed its re-evaluation and determined that the 12,200-hour life 
limit was, in fact, correct.

FAA's Determination

    We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an 
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of

[[Page 16898]]

these same type designs and that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Sikorsky S-92 Maintenance Manual 4-00-00, Temporary 
Revision No. 4-49, dated April 10, 2015, which establishes a 
replacement interval of 12,200 hours for housing, P/N 92358-06107-043.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 80 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that labor costs average $85 per work hour. Based on these 
estimates, we expect the following costs.
    Replacing the housing requires 24 work-hours, and parts cost 
$58,000 for a total cost of $60,040 per helicopter.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2017-07-09 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-18848; Docket 
No. FAA-2015-7095; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-085-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) 
Model S-92A helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tail 
gearbox center housing, part number (P/N) 92358-06107-043, 
installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in a tail 
gearbox center housing. This condition could result in failure of 
the tail rotor drive and consequently loss of helicopter control.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective May 12, 2017.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(e) Required Actions

    Before further flight, remove from service any tail gearbox 
housing, P/N 92358-06107-043, that has 12,200 or more hours time-in-
service.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Kristopher Greer, 
aerospace engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, 
Massachusetts 01803; telephone 781-238-7799; email 
[email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    Sikorsky S-92 Maintenance Manual 4-00-00, Temporary Revision No. 
4-49, dated April 10, 2015, which is not incorporated by reference, 
contains additional information about the subject of this AD. For 
service information identified in this AD, contact Sikorsky Aircraft 
Corporation, Customer Service Engineering, 124 Quarry Road, 
Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S or 203-416-4299; email: 
[email protected]. You may review a copy of this 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6520, Tail Rotor 
Gearbox.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 29, 2017.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-06708 Filed 4-6-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 66 / Friday, April 7, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 16897 (b) Unsafe Condition Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, www.regulations.gov by searching for This AD defines the unsafe condition as a TX 76177. and locating Docket No. FAA–2015– delaminated engine mount bushing. This (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in 7095; or in person at the Docket condition could result in excessive vibration, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 which could lead to cracking and failure of No. 2015–0198, dated September 30, 2015. You may view the EASA AD on the Internet p.m., Monday through Friday, except the engine mount front support pins, and loss Federal holidays. The AD docket of helicopter control. at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA–2016–3257. contains this AD, the economic (c) Effective Date evaluation, any comments received, and (h) Subject other information. The street address for This AD becomes effective May 12, 2017. Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) the Docket Operations Office (phone: (d) Compliance Code: 7200, Engine (Turbine, Turboprop). 800–647–5527) is U.S. Department of You are responsible for performing each Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 29, Transportation, Docket Operations action required by this AD within the 2017. Office, M–30, West Building Ground specified compliance time unless it has Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Scott A. Horn, already been accomplished prior to that time. Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. (e) Required Actions Aircraft Certification Service. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) and [FR Doc. 2017–06706 Filed 4–6–17; 8:45 am] Kristopher Greer, Aerospace Engineer, thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours BILLING CODE 4910–13–P Boston Aircraft Certification Office, TIS: Engine & Propeller Directorate, FAA, (1) Visually inspect each engine mount 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, bushing (bushing) for separation of the DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION rubber from the metal or missing rubber. Massachusetts 01803; telephone 781– (2) If any rubber has separated from the 238–7799; email Kristopher.Greer@ Federal Aviation Administration faa.gov. metal or if there is missing rubber, inspect the bushing for deformation, corrosion, and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mechanical damage. 14 CFR Part 39 (i) Replace the bushing with an airworthy [Docket No. FAA–2015–7095; Directorate Discussion bushing if there is any deformation, Identifier 2015–SW–085–AD; Amendment separation of the rubber from the metal, On August 30, 2016, at 81 FR 59526, 39–18848; AD 2017–07–09] corrosion, or mechanical damage, or repair the Federal Register published our the bushing if the deformation, separation of RIN 2120–AA64 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the rubber, corrosion, or mechanical damage which proposed to amend 14 CFR part is within the maximum repair damage Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky 39 by adding an AD that would apply limitations. Aircraft Corporation Helicopters to Sikorsky Model S–92A helicopters (ii) If the inner and outer parts of the with a housing part number (P/N) bushing are separated with missing rubber, AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 92358–06107–043 installed. The NPRM replace the bushing with an airworthy proposed to require removing from bushing. ACTION: Final rule. service any housing with 12,200 or more (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance SUMMARY: We are adopting a new hours TIS. The NPRM was prompted by (AMOCs) fatigue analysis conducted by Sikorsky airworthiness directive (AD) for (1) The Manager, Safety Management Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) that determined the housing required a Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this Model S–92A helicopters. This AD retirement life. The proposed actions AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, were intended to prevent a crack in the Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety requires removing from service the tail gearbox center housing (housing) when housing, which could lead to loss of tail Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, rotor drive and loss of helicopter FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX it has 12,200 or more hours time-in- 76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; email 9- service (TIS). This AD was prompted by control. ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. fatigue analysis conducted by Sikorsky Comments (2) For operations conducted under a 14 that determined the housing required a CFR part 119 operating certificate or under retirement life. The actions are intended After our NPRM was published, we 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that to prevent an unsafe condition on these received a comment from Sikorsky. you notify your principal inspector, or products. lacking a principal inspector, the manager of Request the local flight standards district office or DATES: This AD is effective May 12, Sikorsky requested a minimum 45- certificate holding district office before 2017. day extension of the comment period. In operating any aircraft complying with this ADDRESSES: For service information support of this request, Sikorsky stated AD through an AMOC. it is re-evaluating the housing’s 12,200- identified in this final rule, contact (g) Additional Information Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Customer hour life limit due to an error in the (1) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Service Engineering, 124 Quarry Road, measured flight test loads used in the Bulletin ASB MBB–BK117 D–2–71A–002, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1–800- structural fatigue substantiation. When Revision 0, dated September 28, 2015, which Winged-S or 203–416–4299; email: wcs_ asked for additional information, is not incorporated by reference, contains cust_service_eng.gr-sik@lmco.com. You Sikorsky advised that it had completed additional information about the subject of may review a copy of the referenced its re-evaluation and determined that this AD. For service information identified in service information at the FAA, Office the 12,200-hour life limit was, in fact, AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with RULES of the Regional Counsel, Southwest correct. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–0323; Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room FAA’s Determination fax (972) 641–3775; or at http:// 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You We have reviewed the relevant Examining the AD Docket information and determined that an may review the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the You may examine the AD docket on unsafe condition exists and is likely to Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 the Internet at http:// exist or develop on other products of VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:50 Apr 06, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\07APR1.SGM 07APR1

16898 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 66 / Friday, April 7, 2017 / Rules and Regulations these same type designs and that air on a substantial number of small entities (2) For operations conducted under a 14 safety and the public interest require under the criteria of the Regulatory CFR part 119 operating certificate or under adopting the AD requirements as Flexibility Act. 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that proposed. We prepared an economic evaluation you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of of the estimated costs to comply with Related Service Information the local flight standards district office or this AD and placed it in the AD docket. certificate holding district office before We reviewed Sikorsky S–92 operating any aircraft complying with this Maintenance Manual 4–00–00, List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 AD through an AMOC. Temporary Revision No. 4–49, dated Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation April 10, 2015, which establishes a safety, Incorporation by reference, (g) Additional Information replacement interval of 12,200 hours for Safety. Sikorsky S–92 Maintenance Manual 4–00– housing, P/N 92358–06107–043. 00, Temporary Revision No. 4–49, dated Adoption of the Amendment April 10, 2015, which is not incorporated by Costs of Compliance Accordingly, under the authority reference, contains additional information We estimate that this AD affects 80 delegated to me by the Administrator, about the subject of this AD. For service helicopters of U.S. Registry and that the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as information identified in this AD, contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Customer labor costs average $85 per work hour. follows: Service Engineering, 124 Quarry Road, Based on these estimates, we expect the Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1–800- following costs. PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS Winged-S or 203–416–4299; email: wcs_cust_ Replacing the housing requires 24 DIRECTIVES service_eng.gr-sik@lmco.com. You may work-hours, and parts cost $58,000 for review a copy of this service information at a total cost of $60,040 per helicopter. ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, continues to read as follows: Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Authority for This Rulemaking Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Title 49 of the United States Code § 39.13 [Amended] (h) Subject specifies the FAA’s authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) section 106, describes the authority of Code: 6520, Tail Rotor Gearbox. the following new airworthiness the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: directive (AD): Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 29, Aviation Programs, describes in more 2017. 2017–07–09 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: detail the scope of the Agency’s Amendment 39–18848; Docket No. Scott A. Horn, authority. FAA–2015–7095; Directorate Identifier Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, We are issuing this rulemaking under 2015–SW–085–AD. Aircraft Certification Service. the authority described in Subtitle VII, [FR Doc. 2017–06708 Filed 4–6–17; 8:45 am] (a) Applicability Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: BILLING CODE 4910–13–P ‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that This AD applies to Sikorsky Aircraft section, Congress charges the FAA with Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S–92A helicopters, certificated in any category, with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION a tail gearbox center housing, part number air commerce by prescribing regulations (P/N) 92358–06107–043, installed. for practices, methods, and procedures Federal Aviation Administration the Administrator finds necessary for (b) Unsafe Condition safety in air commerce. This regulation This AD defines the unsafe condition as a 14 CFR Part 71 is within the scope of that authority crack in a tail gearbox center housing. This because it addresses an unsafe condition condition could result in failure of the tail [Docket No. FAA–2016–9102; Airspace that is likely to exist or develop on rotor drive and consequently loss of Docket No. 16–AEA–6] helicopter control. products identified in this rulemaking action. (c) Effective Date Amendment of Class E Airspace; Monongahela, PA Regulatory Findings This AD becomes effective May 12, 2017. (d) Compliance AGENCY: Federal Aviation This AD will not have federalism Administration (FAA), DOT. implications under Executive Order You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the ACTION: Final rule. 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E the relationship between the national airspace at Monongahela, PA, as the government and the States, or on the (e) Required Actions Allegheny VHF Omnidirectional Radio distribution of power and Before further flight, remove from service Range (VOR) has been decommissioned, responsibilities among the various any tail gearbox housing, P/N 92358–06107– requiring airspace reconfiguration at levels of government. 043, that has 12,200 or more hours time-in- Rostraver Airport. This action enhances For the reasons discussed above, I service. the safety and airspace management of certify that this AD: (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations (AMOCs) at the airport. action’’ under Executive Order 12866; (2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, June 22, Certification Office, FAA, may approve 2017. The Director of the Federal nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with RULES DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Register approves this incorporation by (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); Kristopher Greer, aerospace engineer, Boston (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & reference action under Title 1, Code of in Alaska to the extent that it justifies Propeller Directorate, FAA, 1200 District Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to making a regulatory distinction; and Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; the annual revision of FAA Order (4) Will not have a significant telephone 781–238–7799; email 7400.11 and publication of conforming economic impact, positive or negative, Kristopher.Greer@faa.gov. amendments. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:50 Apr 06, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\07APR1.SGM 07APR1


Document Created: 2017-04-06 23:49:31
Document Modified: 2017-04-06 23:49:31
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis AD is effective May 12, 2017.
ContactKristopher Greer, Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller Directorate, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone 781-238-7799; email [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 16897 
RIN Number2120-AA64
CFR AssociatedAir Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR